In final season’s Citrus Bowl, Kentucky beat Iowa 20-17 when each groups struggled on offense for the primary three quarters earlier than lastly placing issues collectively within the fourth quarter to supply some offensive fireworks. The great people on the Music Metropolis Bowl watched it and thought to themselves, “We have to get us a few of that.” Now right here we’re with the Hawkeyes and Wildcats ending one other season in opposition to each other however doing a lot farther north this time.
The opposite main distinction on this 12 months’s sport is that each groups have failed to satisfy inner expectations in 2022. Each groups received 10 video games final season, however come into Nashville with equivalent 7-5 information. Iowa completed the season stronger than the Wildcats, successful 4 of its remaining 5 video games after getting off to a 3-4 begin. In the meantime, the Wildcats started the season with 4 wins earlier than going 3-5 down the stretch.
Iowa vs. Kentucky: Have to know
There are plenty of opt-outs on each groups: Any time you get a bowl matchup between Energy 5 packages coming off disappointing seasons, there is a robust likelihood you may see plenty of gamers opting out of the proceedings. The Music Metropolis Bowl shall be no totally different. Kentucky shall be with out beginning QB Will Levis, in addition to its two main rushers in Chris Rodriguez and Kavosiey Smoke. Iowa will not have both of its prime two quarterbacks as Spencer Petras is damage and Alex Padilla is within the switch portal. There shall be plenty of unfamiliar names at vital positions on this sport.
Iowa’s offense has been one of many worst within the nation: Having mentioned that, perhaps Iowa attempting new gamers on offense is not the worst factor? Whereas issues improved late within the season, it could’ve been exhausting for the Iowa offense to worsen than it had been. Iowa completed the common season ranked one hundred and thirtieth (of 131 groups) with 255.4 yards per sport and 123rd with 17.4 factors per sport; nevertheless, that factors per sport stat is deceptive. The Hawkeyes scored 209 factors this season, however Iowa’s offense solely scored 177 of them. The 14.75 factors per sport scored by the offense ranked 127th nationally.
Kentucky has crushed it in bowl video games underneath Mark Stoops: Already the winningest coach in Kentucky soccer historical past after passing Bear Bryant earlier this season, Stoops’ success has prolonged into the postseason. The Music Metropolis Bowl shall be Kentucky’s twenty second look in a bowl sport and seventh underneath Stoops in 10 seasons. The Wildcats misplaced their first two bowl video games underneath Stoops (together with the 2017 Music Metropolis Bowl) however have received 4 straight since.
Methods to watch Music Metropolis Bowl reside
Date: Saturday, Dec. 31 | Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Nissan Stadium — Nashville, Tennessee
TV: ABC | Reside stream: fuboTV (Strive totally free)
Music Metropolis Bowl prediction, picks
Featured Recreation | Kentucky Wildcats vs. Iowa Hawkeyes
Final 12 months’s assembly noticed these groups battle to get to 37 factors, and that was when each offenses have been enjoying at full energy. That won’t be the case this season, and there is no purpose to anticipate this being a high-scoring sport. With each groups lowered to backup quarterbacks, and neither that includes an explosive offense, we’ll doubtless see them take cautious approaches. Iowa at all times performs for subject place as it’s, and let’s not neglect the place Mark Stoops went to varsity (Iowa). He is constructed Kentucky in an identical picture. The whole is low, however it’s low for a purpose. Do not be petrified of it. Prediction: Below 31
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